A CENTURIES-OLD habitat of rare plants and wildlife is being destroyed by the dumping of river-bed waste, say nature lovers.

Friends of Sunnyhurst Wood, Darwen, fear the dumping by council workers will thwart their long-term hope of it becoming a nature reserve.

The wet woodland is defined as a priority habitat, but it is slowly being destroyed by the riverbed silt taken from the bottom of the wood's moat and paddling pool.

David Pack, Friends' treasurer, said: "Council workers are dumping the silt in one of the most attractive areas of the wood and it's been going on for about a month.

"This area is defined by the government as one of the most protected habitats because of so many different, very beautiful plants and wildlife.

"What took centuries to grow is being destroyed and this indiscriminate dumping is a tremendous problem in such a rare habitat. It's clogging up the area. This dumping could eventually ruin our chances of becoming a local nature reserve."

Sunnyhurst Wood wetland features rare marsh marigold, valerian and large bittercress.

Friends' chairman Dennis Gillibrand said: "We have a problem not knowing what to do with the silt. Initially it was piled up by the bandstand, then the workers spread it on the paths. There's 25 to 30 tonnes of the stuff."

Dave Page, Blackburn with Darwen Council's parks community development officer, said: "Money has to be found to take the silt off the site and that money just isn't available. "

Ruth Jenkins, Forestry Commission lead partner for wet woodlands, said: "These areas are very precious. Dumping a large amount of silt would have a very negative effect on this type of habitat."